Canvas Updates 

New mini Rich Content Editor (RCE) available in Speedgrader

Canvas SpeedGrader has been updated to have an abridged RCE when writing comments within Speedgrader interface. Additionally, instructors can edit drafted comments. The newly available RCE features include:

  • Headings
  • Bold
  • Italic
  • Underline
  • Font color
  • Insert Hyperlink
  • Bullets
  • Equation editor

Instructors and students can view formatted comments in all locations where comments are accessible. This change allows instructors to provide more detailed and formatted feedback to students by emphasizing key points, organizing information clearly, and including external resources directly in their comments. This enhanced feedback improves the accessibility of that communication, making it easier for students to understand the specific feedback and take effective action on it. 

FeedbackFruits Updates

FeedbackFruits (FbF) grade posting now based on student activity engagement

icon of a basket with text Feedback Fruits below

In the past, if a student never opened a FbF activity, they would receive a score of “0” in the Canvas Gradebook. This did not align with how Canvas Assignments are scored. In Canvas if a student never opens an Assignment, no score is posted to the Canvas Gradebook. With the new FbF grade posting feature, students who have no engagement with an activity will now see no grade, displayed by dashes, in the Canvas Gradebook. 

This feature is useful in situations where the presence of any grade is intended to indicate attendance or participation in the learning activity. These updates are aimed at enhancing the usability and accuracy of FeedbackFruits within Canvas. For more information about this feature, see the section “Conditional posting to the LMS based on activity engagement” in the FbF release notes.

Kaltura Updates 

Strategies for shared media and transfer of ownership in Kaltura

Kaltura icon

As you create media in Kaltura this semester, consider who needs access to share, edit, and publish that media. When you upload media to Kaltura, you are the owner. If you leave the University and don’t transfer ownership in advance, things get complicated for those who may need to use it in the future. If your department shares media within Kaltura, consider creating a departmental account (login required to view information) for your college, department, or workgroup to own media in Kaltura. Please also consider strategy for maintaining and sharing access to your departmental account. Documentation is being created and will be added to the Leaving the University self-help guide when it is ready.

Zoom Updates

Use the Zoom desktop app calendar integration

The most recent Zoom update includes access to an in-app calendar tab that connects your Google calendar to Zoom Workplace (desktop client). Zoom meetings created in Canvas,Zoom Appointment Scheduler, and via the desktop client will appear on the Zoom Workplace Calendar.

the top portion of Zoom Workplace application window with the Calendar tab selected and a September 2024 calendar viewable

Reminder to install and use Zoom Workplace (desktop client)

Users are highly encouraged to utilize the Zoom Workplace (desktop client) to receive the best Zoom experience. Users of the desktop client are required to log into the Zoom desktop app via Single Sign On (SSO) weekly. Doing so will greatly enhance your Zoom experience. On University-managed devices, the Zoom Workplace (desktop client) can be downloaded from the Software Center for PC devices or from Self Service for Mac devices. On personal devices, download Zoom Workplace and log in through SSO. Accessing your meetings through the desktop app reduces the likelihood of being unable to join meetings or requiring a password to enter meetings.

Boost student attendance and participation in office hours

Many students are uncertain about the usefulness of office hours. Students have disclosed that they thought the term “Office Hours” referred to a time when instructors were physically on campus and dedicated scheduled hours to research and class preparation. To ensure your students feel welcome and empowered to participate in your office hours, consider changing the name to “student drop-in hours” and using technology for accommodating both in-person and Zoom office hours. If you find yourself with time to spare during office hours, read Extra Points: Boost Student Attendance and Participation in Office Hours.

New Teaching Support resource for generative AI

a gear symbol with the letters "AI" in the middle of it

Teaching Support, a collaborative network of support connecting those who teach to resources that have been, has curated key resources from across the University of Minnesota on how to best incorporate generative AI into your teaching practices. This list of resources will be updated frequently as more resources and good practices continue to be published.

Teaching with AI book clubs open for participation

There are two different book clubs around AI that you are welcome to join:

  • Join other staff, researchers, and faculty members in exploring generative AI by participating in a low-stakes, no guilt book club. Club meetings will center around the book, Teaching with AI: A Practical Guide to a New Era of Human Learning by Jose Bowen and Eddie Watson. Learn more and register.
  • Teaching with Writing’s Fall 2024 Book Circle is discussing Assigning AI: Seven Approaches for Students, with Prompts by Ethan R. Mollick and Lilach Mollick. This research paper reading comes in at under 50 pages, and book circle participants are encouraged to follow along with the seven approaches and design their own AI activities for a hypothetical future course. Register to receive communication and access to shared documents.

ODA announces plan to meet DOJ Title II Compliance Deadline

Cultivate Inclusion 3R symbol: Remove, Revise, and Right First

The Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA) launched this summer in response to recent Department of Justice clarifications on Title II of the ADA specifying that people with disabilities have the right to participation not only in built spaces but also in digital spaces. The ODA presented at the September Accessibility Ambassadors meeting to lay out its plan for organizing and coordinating the University’s efforts to implement accessible and inclusive digital experiences for all who engage with the University’s services, programs, and activities by April 2026. The general goal is to guide faculty and staff through the 3R approach: 

  • Remove any unnecessary content
  • Review/Revise existing content
  • “Right first” all content going forward

Specific resources for each step in this process are coming soon. Along with providing specific resources for faculty and staff to walk through each step in the process, the ODA is also available for consultations for teams and departments. Watch the September Accessibility Ambassadors presentation meeting recording for more information.

Canvas Gradebook: Prepare to submit final grades

December 10, 2024; 2:00-3:00 p.m.

Join consultants from Academic Technology Support Services and your peers for a hands-on workshop to prepare your Canvas Gradebook to submit final grades. Questions from participants and discussions will determine the focus of the session.

Digital Accessibility Badging program

Anytime (self-paced, online)

The Digital Accessibility Badging Program teaches you how to create presentations, documents, Canvas Courses, and more in an accessible way. In each self-paced online course, you will learn skills that apply to your everyday work. You may choose to take as many courses as you like. You will receive a digital badge highlighting the skills you demonstrated in the final project for each training. See the Digital Accessibility Badging Program Enrollment information for a complete course list and registration link.

Using Media in Course Design

Anytime (self-paced, online)

In Using Media in Course Design, participants will learn how instructors can increase student engagement and enhance learning experiences, how to create focused video content, and how to integrate video resources into learning activities. 

Canvas: Integrate Media with Kaltura

Anytime (self-paced, online)

Video and audio is everywhere in our society today and can be a powerful tool for teaching and learning. But to use it effectively, it is important to create and manage media strategically and efficiently. This workshop explores the opportunities on hand in Kaltura, the cloud-based media management system available for all faculty and students to use in courses. 

Check out more events across all TeachingSupport partners.